Program Description

The Dual Acceptance Program (DAP) is an early assurance program for select high school seniors. The program provides students who are motivated to become pharmacists with a clear path to achieving their goal directly out of high school. Students admitted to the DAP are required to complete their prerequisite requirements during the first two years at an affiliated college or university, and then transition into Midwestern University's Chicago College of Pharmacy to begin a four-year Doctor of Pharmacy program.

At the end of six years, the successful DAP student will earn a Pharm.D. degree enabling him or her to embark upon an exciting career in this high-demand healthcare field. Benefits of the DAP include:

Provides for an excellent foundation in pre-pharmacy education.

Sets out a clear road map for what courses to take and when.

Saves money by not having to take the Pharmacy College Admissions Test (PCAT)

Saves money by not having to participate in the PharmCAS admissions process.

Guarantees entry to MWU CCP upon successful completion of program requirements.

Affiliated Colleges & Universities

Midwestern University Chicago College of Pharmacy has agreements with each of these affiliated colleges or universities to provide the transferable courses and credits necessary for students who have been accepted into the DAP. Links provide some specific information, including prerequisite courses, for this affiliate relative to this program.

Eligibility Requirements

High school seniors must meet the following criteria in order to be considered for admission into the DAP:

• Possess a minimum high school GPA of 3.2 on a 4.0 scale.• Rank in the top quartile on a college entrance exam: - ACT score of 25 or higher that includes a writing component score - SAT score of 1700 or higher that includes a writing component score• Be admitted to one of the affiliate colleges or universities and apply to DAP prior to beginning freshman year.

Admissions Process

Eligible high school seniors should obtain their application to the CCP DAP from the DAP-affiliated college or university. The deadline for submitting completed DAP applications to Midwestern University is February 15 (this date may vary depending on the affiliate college or university, so it's recommended to confirm this date with the DAP contact person at the affiliated college or university). If a student is applying to more than one DAP-affiliated college or university, then one CCP DAP application will need to be submitted for each affiliate college or university applied to.

After the Midwestern University Office of Admissions receives all completed application materials from the affiliate colleges and universities, applicant files are reviewed to determine which applicants merit invitations to attend Mandatory Candidate Visits (MCV).

During the MCVs, candidates will be required to participate in group interviews with other dual acceptance program applicants. Group interviews will be used to evaluate verbal communication skills, understanding of the pharmacy profession, commitment to patient care, and other elements as determined by faculty. Applicants will be required to participate in writing sample exercises during the visit. Visits also provide opportunities for candidates to learn more about the pharmacy program, student services, and to tour the Midwestern University campus.

Following applicant visits, their files are forwarded to the Admissions Committee for review. The committee may recommend to accept or to deny student admissions. These recommendations are then forwarded to the Dean for final approval. The Dean-via the Office of Admissions-notifies applicants of their status within two to four weeks of their visits. Accepted applicants will be ensured a seat at CCP upon successful completion of the program requirements.

Requirements for Transition into CCP

It is of utmost importance that students understand that all five of the following conditions must be met to retain admission to CCP for their respective fall quarter. Failure to meet any of the following requirements will result in the forfeiture of the student's place in his/her respective fall entering class.

Condition #1 All pre-pharmacy prerequisite courses must be completed at the affiliated college or university within a two-year period. (All courses must be completed by end of summer just before transition into CCP.) Refer to the appropriate required coursework for a particular affiliated college or university, as provided by that school's designee.

Prerequisite Coursework

Semester Hours

English

6

Biology with lab

8

Anatomy (human or vertebrate)

3

General Chemistry with lab

8

Organic Chemistry with lab

8

Physics

3

Calculus

3

Statistics

3

Speech / public speaking

3

Economics

3

Social and Behavioral Sciences

6

General Education

8

Students cannot take summer classes at a community college or other college/university.

Note that some affiliated colleges or universities require placement exams and have special requirements for students who earn advanced placement credit.

Some exceptions to the "affiliate college or university only" rule may apply. For example: Recognized AP credit granted for work completed prior to beginning at the affiliated college or university. If the institution recognizes and grants a student credit and the credit appears on that student's transcript, then that credit will be accepted.

Condition #2 A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.20 must be achieved and maintained. For a student to retain his/her place in the DAP Program, the cumulative GPA must be a minimum of a 3.20 by the end of the spring of the student's first and second pre-pharmacy year and at the end of all pre-pharmacy coursework. Only courses taken at the DAP-affiliated college or university are to be used in the DAP Cumulative GPA calculation.

Condition #3 A minimum pre-pharmacy science grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 must be also achieved and maintained.

Condition #4 Student must earn a grade of C or higher in all required prerequisite courses. (C- (minus) grades are not acceptable.)

Condition #5 Students are not permitted to repeat courses for a higher grade.

In addition to meeting the Pre-Pharmacy Academic DAP requirementsStudents are required to:

Upon acceptance, submit a signed Letter of Understanding to the Midwestern University Admissions Office.

Sign and return a Chicago College of Pharmacy Matriculation Agreement and Technical Standards Certification Form. Both of these agreements will be sent to qualified students in the fall before their completion of their pre-pharmacy coursework in the following spring/summer. The Matriculation Agreement will outline deposit requirements, transcript submission, proof of immunization, proof of insurance, and mandatory health testing requirements.

In order to enhance their performance when later attending CCP, students should consider these additional experiences:

Involvement in extracurricular/leadership activities in the community or affiliated college or university.

Volunteer or paid healthcare experiences (pharmacy, if possible)

Progress Checks

DAP students should meet with the affiliated college or university's DAP designee or their assigned academic advisor every semester. The designee monitors the progress of students and will advise CCP of any students failing to meet the requirements.In order for CCP to monitor the status of students in the DAP, students must request that a copy of their transcript be sent to the CCP Dean's Office (555 31st Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515) at the end of each spring during their two years in the affiliate institution. CCP will conduct a review of transcripts after each spring and will follow up in writing to students regarding their academic/program status.In addition, if students take courses in the summer just before they transition into CCP, they will need to submit a final transcript to the Office of Admissions that includes their summer grades.Any student who fails to meet the program requirements will be encouraged to apply to CCP via the traditional route (complete a PharmCAS application, submit PCAT score, etc.). NOTE, the traditional application process is competitive, hence former DAP students must compete for available seats and are not guaranteed admission via this route.